Phytoremediative adsorption methodologies to decontaminate water from dyes and organic pollutants.

Persistent organic pollutants and dyes cause major problems during ecofriendly wastewater treatment. To overcome this huge problem, several techniques have been considered and in practice for the safe disposal of organic pollutants in recent years; some of them are discussed and compared herein. This review focuses on new trends for wastewater treatment and compares them with certain other techniques alongside their pros and cons; adsorption is considered the safest among them. Adsorbents derived from agri-wastes have good capacity for the removal of these contaminants owing to their great sorption capacity, high reusability, easy operation, etc. Sometimes they need some modifications for the removal of dyes, which are also discussed in this review. This capacity of adsorbents to chelate dye molecules can be affected by factors, such as pH, the concentration of dyes and adsorbents, and temperature of the system. pH has direct influence on the ionization potential and charge on the outer surface of adsorbents. The findings on isotherms, kinetics, and desorption of plant waste-based biomaterials that are safe for the ecosystem and user friendly and are used for hazardous contaminant removal from water are summarized in this review. Finally, conclusions and future perspectives are presented, and some other materials, such as CNTs and MOFs, are also discussed as efficient adsorbents for eliminating dyes from wastewater. Finally, it is predicted that the adsorption of dyes is a more feasible solution for this dye pollution problem.

Single tube multiplex PCR assay for the identification of banned meat species.

Food adulteration has a direct impact on public health, religious faith, fair-trades, and wildlife. In the present study, a reliable and sensitive assay has been developed for verifying meat adulteration in food chain. The multiplex PCR system was optimised for identification of chicken, cow/buffalo, sheep/goat, horse/donkey, pork, and dog DNAs in a single reaction mixture simultaneously. The primers were designed using 12 S rRNA gene sequences with fragment size in the range of 113 bp to 800 bp, which can be easily visualised on agarose gel electrophoresis making the technique economical. After validation of accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity, commercially available meat products (n = 190) were screened, comprising both raw and cooked meat samples. The results demonstrated a high rate of adulteration (54.5%) in meat products. The technique developed here can be easily used for screening of different meat products for export and import purposes as well as for food inspection and livestock diagnostic laboratories.

Genomics of Otitis Media (OM): Molecular Genetics Approaches to Characterize Disease Pathophysiology.

Otitis media (OM) is an infective and inflammatory disorder known to be a major cause of hearing impairment across all age groups. Both acute and chronic OM result in substantial healthcare utilization related to antibiotic prescription and surgical procedures necessary for its management. Although several studies provided evidence of genetics playing a significant role in the susceptibility to OM, we had limited knowledge about the genes associated with OM until recently. Here we have summarized the known genetic factors that confer susceptibility to various forms of OM in mice and in humans and their genetic load, along with associated cellular signaling pathways. Spotlighted in this review are fucosyltransferase (FUT) enzymes, which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of OM. A comprehensive understanding of the functions of OM-associated genes may provide potential opportunities for its diagnosis and treatment.

Comparison of 99mTc Injected Activity with Prescribed Activity in Four Types of Nuclear Medicine Exams.

BACKGROUND: 99mTc is a radioactive isotope that is obtained by eluting a 99Mo/99mTc generator. (PINSTECH, Islamabad) and used for radionuclide scanning. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this work is to study the uncertainties in 99mTc activity that exist due to time delay between injection preparation and administration to patients, during the process of gamma camera scanning. METHODS: Lead canisters were used for storing elution vials and dose calibrator for measuring 99mTc activity in mCi. The activity of preparing 99mTc injection and its administration to patients were compared with the prescribed values of activity recommended in the Society of Nuclear Medicine procedure guidelines. RESULTS: This study showed that uncertainty in the activity existed in one thyroid patient, 38 bone patients, 5 renal patients and 45 cardiac patients. CONCLUSION: This uncertainty in activity exists due to time delay between injection preparation and administration to patients, as well as due to residual radionuclide that is not injected into patients and remains in the syringe.

The effects of meteorological variables on ambulance attendance for cardiovascular diseases in Rasht, Iran.

Climate change has a devastating effect on human societies, including their economic, cultural and health conditions. Our objective was to investigate the association between meteorological variables and ambulance attendance in the event of cardiovascular diseases using time-series analyses. We used a time series analysis to investigate the relationship between meteorological variables and ambulance attendance in the event of cardiovascular diseases from 2010 to 2015. To examine the effect of high temperatures on ambulance attendance, we investigated the relative risk of the daily volume of high temperature attendance, the 99th temperature percentile compared to the 75th temperature percentile. Upon examining the effect of cold temperatures on ambulance attendance, or the relative risk of the daily volume of attendance with low temperatures, the 1st temperature percentile compared to the 25th temperature percentile. In 1826 days, from March 21, 2010 to March 19, 2015, there were 7051 emergency calls for cardiovascular diseases. Significant variations were identified in the monthly (P < 0.001) and seasonal (P < 0.001) distributions. The highest seasonal incidence occurred in the winter and lowest was observed in the summer. With regard to association between cold temperature and calls for ambulance attendance in the event of cardiovascular diseases according to lag days, our findings showed a significant increase in lag 7 ((RR, 1.026; 95% CI, 1.003 to 1.050), lag 8 (RR, 1.023; 95% CI, 1.005to 1.041) and lag 9 (RR, 1.019; 95% CI, 1.002 to 1.036) respectively. These results suggest that the demand for an ambulance for cardiovascular diseases was higher in the cold weather and that humidity can increase this demand in the warm seasons.

Segment 2/3 Hypertrophy is Greater When Right Portal Vein Embolisation is Extended to Segment 4 in Patients with Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: In patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM), right portal vein embolisation (RPVE) is used to increase the volume of the future remnant liver (FRL) before major hepatic resection. It is not established whether embolisation of segment 4 in addition RPVE (RPVE + 4) induces greater hypertrophy of the FRL. Limitations of prior studies include heterogenous populations and use of hypertrophy metrics sensitive to baseline variables. METHODS: From 2010 to 2015, consecutive patients undergoing RPVE or RPVE + 4 for CRLM, who had not undergone prior major hepatic resection and in whom imaging was available, were included in a retrospective study. Data were extracted from hospital electronic records. Volumetric assessments of segments 2-3 were made on cross-sectional imaging before and after embolisation and corrected for standardised liver volume. RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients underwent PVE, and 60 met the inclusion criteria. Thirty-eight patients underwent RPVE, and 22 underwent RPVE + 4. Forty-five patients had undergone median 6 cycles of prior chemotherapy. Eighteen patients had FRL metastases at PVE, and 16 had undergone subsegmental metastasectomy in the FRL. Assessments of the degree of hypertrophy (DH) of segments 2/3 were made at median 35 (interquartile range 30-49) days after PVE. RPVE + 4 resulted in a significantly greater increase in DH than RPVE (7.7 ± 1.8% vs 11.3 ± 2.6%, p = 0.011). No confounding association between baseline variables and the decision to undertake RPVE or RPVE + 4 was identified. Median survival was 2.4 years and was not influenced by segment 4 embolisation. CONCLUSION: RPVE + 4 results in greater DH of segments 2/3 than RPVE in people with CLRM.

Is it time to replace propranolol with carvedilol for portal hypertension?

Beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists (ß-blockers) have been well established for use in portal hypertension for more than three decades. Different Non-selective ß-blockers like propranolol, nadolol, timolol, atenolol, metoprolol and carvedilol have been in clinical practice in patients with cirrhosis. Carvedilol has proven 2-4 times more potent than propranolol as a beta-receptor blocker in trials conducted testing its efficacy for heart failure. Whether the same effect extends to its potency in the reduction of portal venous pressures is a topic of on-going debate. The aim of this review is to compare the hemodynamic and clinical effects of carvedilol with propranolol, and attempt assess whether carvedilol can be used instead of propranolol in patients with cirrhosis. Carvedilol is a promising agent among the beta blockers of recent time that has shown significant effects in portal hypertension hemodynamics. It has also demonstrated an effective profile in its clinical application specifically for the prevention of variceal bleeding. Carvedilol has more potent desired physiological effects when compared to Propranolol. However, it is uncertain at the present juncture whether the improvement in hemodynamics also translates into a decreased rate of disease progression and complications when compared to propranolol. Currently Carvedilol shows promise as a therapy for portal hypertension but more clinical trials need to be carried out before we can consider it as a superior option and a replacement for propranolol.

Bilateral Multifocal Choroidal Osteoma with Choroidal Neovascularization.

Choroidal osteoma has been reported to be unilateral in approximately 80% of cases diagnosed with this condition. Herein we report the clinical characteristics and multimodal imaging findings in a rare case of bilateral multifocal choroidal osteoma. A 32-year-old female presented with decreased visual acuity (VA) in the right eye (20/100), though she had normal VA (20/20) in the left eye. Ophthalmoscopy and multimodal imaging investigation revealed bilateral multifocal choroidal osteoma complicated by choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in the right eye. Following three injections of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for CNV in the right eye, VA improved to 20/40.

Sister Mary Joseph nodule, a forgotten nodule.

Metastatic cancer of the umbilicus, known as Sister Mary Joseph nodule, is typically associated with visceral malignancy. It is an uncommon and rare presentation. It indicates disseminated disease and poor prognosis. Physicians need to be aware of this rare clinical condition so that they can promptly diagnose the primary cancer.

Influence of moderate to severe chronic periodontitis on dental pulp.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between periodontal disease and dental pulp changes is controversial and has been debated for many years. This human study was performed to evaluate the possible effects of moderate to advanced periodontal disease on the different aspect of dental pulp structure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty hopeless permanent teeth were extracted from systemically healthy adults because of moderate to advanced chronic periodontitis, with a bone loss of >6 mm and a mobility of grade 2 or 3. Upon extraction, the apical 2 to 3 mm of the roots were immediately sectioned. Four to five sections were mounted on each slide, and every third slide was stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The specimens were histologically processed and examined by an oral pathologist. RESULTS: Non-inflamed pulp, with partial or complete necrosis in some sections and several non-necrotic sections, was found in only 6.3% of teeth. Most teeth (58.3%) displayed edematous pulps. Slightly fibrotic pulps were seen in 52.1% of sections. Odontoblastic integrity was seen in 31.3% of teeth. Most teeth (77.1%) displayed no pulp stones. In 43.8% of teeth, the pulp vessels displayed dilatation. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate to advanced periodontal disease can affect the dental pulp. Careful consideration of diagnostic and treatment planing in patients with endodontic-periodontal involvement is therefore recommended.